Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

American Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Pink / Rose, Purple
Fall Color: Yellow

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Sun Exposure 
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Songbirds
Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Small Animals
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size

Height:

48 to
60
inches

Spread:

36 to
48
inches
Size
Height: 48 to
60
inches
Spread: 36 to
48
inches
Size
Height: 48 to
60
inches
Spread: 36 to
48
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Great ornamental shrub for the garden. Berries attract songbirds in the fall. Also provides cover for birds and small mammals.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in dry to average soil in full sun to partial shade. Plants experience die-back in some winters. Use local ecotype sources. They benefit from a 5-inch layer of protective mulch in the fall.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fresh Cut Flower
Basic Description

Small pink blooms in summer are followed by clusters of brilliant fuschia berries in the fall. Berries color in early October and remain until they are eaten by birds and small mammals in late November. Light yellow fall color.

 

Fuschia berries and green foliage.

A profusion of American Beautyberry, with its brilliant fuschia berries, in a landscape. Photo: Susan Lordi Marker.

Where Should I Start?

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What’s the Next Step?

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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

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